in 2017, eight-year-old Dante de Kort unwittingly captured a fascinating glimpse into the animal world while working on a science fair project. He set up a camera trap near a deceased peccary, a pig-like creature found across the Americas, hoping to film coyotes feeding on the carcass. Instead, he documented something that appeared to be a mourning ceremony. over several days, other peccaries visited the body, nudging, sniffing, grooming, and even cuddling next to it.
“They’re smart,” de Kort remarked to reporters. “They come back for their dead, they mourn for their dead, and they actually care about each other.”
These poignant images exemplify the insightful exploration into animal understanding of death presented in philosopher Susana Monsó’s book, “playing Possum.” The book delves into a variety of animal behaviors related to death,from ants moving their dead from nests to an orca carrying her deceased calf for over a thousand miles. This thought-provoking work not only highlights the complexity and richness of animal minds but also compels us to re-examine our own perceptions of mortality.
Monsó, an academic philosopher, carefully defines death as a spectrum. She argues for a “minimum concept of death,” which encompasses non-functionality and irreversibility. When an animal ceases to perform its typical actions and will not do so again, this must be understood by its peers, though the degree of understanding varies across species.
Monsó suggests that ants, which remove their dead from nests due to the presence of oleic acid, do not possess a concept of death. chimpanzees, conversely, demonstrate a more nuanced understanding, displaying various emotional reactions to the loss of family members similar to the peccaries.
Interestingly, Monsó argues that even our understanding of death, as humans, is complex and incomplete. She notes that many aspects we consider prerequisites for comprehending mortality, such as universality (the inevitability of death for all), are not universally accepted.
“Try to fill your consciousness with the representation of no-consciousness, and you will see the impossibility of it. The effort to comprehend it causes the most tormenting dizziness,” quotes Monsó from Spanish philosopher Miguel de Unamuno.
While “Playing Possum” certainly explores animal behavior,Monsó’s primary interest lies in how we,as humans,interpret and frame these behaviors. She critiques the academic field of comparative thanatology, the study of death in animals, arguing that our own biases and assumptions frequently enough influence our understanding. Monsó encourages readers to consider the emotional and intellectual baggage we bring to observations of non-human responses to death, asking us to reflect on the words we use – “care,” “mourn” – when witnessing these interactions.
The Unsettling World of Animal Thanatology
Philosopher Susana Monsó’s new book, “Animal Thanatology,” delves into the unsettling and often macabre world of animal interactions with death. It’s a challenging read that confronts readers with unsettling behaviors, forcing us to question our own perspectives on mortality. Monsó draws on the field of comparative thanatology, which studies death and dying across species. While acknowledging some of the field’s problematic methods – like forcing elephants to confront the skulls of their dead relatives – Monsó challenges us to confront the limitations of our own understanding.
The book is replete with disturbing anecdotes, like a tonkean macaque in an Italian zoo consuming the decomposing corpse of its baby and a German shepherd chewing on its deceased owner’s face. These scenes, while shocking, raise crucial questions about our ability to truly understand the minds of non-human animals. Monsó navigates this difficult terrain with a blend of gallows humor and a breezy writing style, suggesting that perhaps complete objectivity is impossible or even unwise in the face of such profound mysteries.
“Neither the use of tools, nor culture, morality, or rationality are exclusive to human beings,” Monsó writes. “Nor is a concept of death. We’re not a unique species. we’re just another animal.” She hopes that this realization can aid us in coming to terms with our own mortality. Yet,the book leaves us with a profound sense of unease. As the proverb goes, death is the great leveller, affecting all living things. But Monsó’s work suggests that maybe the true enigma of death – for both humans and animals – lies in our inability to fully grasp its meaning.
Understanding Death: Animals and the Mystery of Mortality
For centuries, humans have pondered the concept of death, trying to unravel its mysteries and understand its meaning. But what about our fellow creatures? What insights can we glean into the animal world’s understanding of mortality?
In her book “playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death” ([1](https://wpctrl.com/article-rewriter-plugin-wordpress/)), biologist Susana Monsó takes readers on a fascinating journey exploring this very question.
Monsó’s research delves into the diverse ways animals perceive and respond to the loss of life. From the seemingly indifferent reactions of some species to the elaborate mourning rituals of others, Monsó presents a compelling argument that the animal world possesses a complex understanding of death.
“Playing Possum” offers a unique perspective on a subject frequently enough shrouded in scientific debate. Monsó’s compelling narrative combines rigorous research with captivating anecdotes, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the fascinating intersection of animal behavior and the ultimate mystery.
To delve deeper into this intriguing topic and learn more about the captivating insights presented in “Playing Possum,” you can order a copy at guardianbookshop.com.
